Please do not have anything done by this woman:

Eccentric Image Photography in Cleveland...she is all the rage and I have no idea why?

She is very unprofessional. Her photos had to be untouched up then re-done by a provider friend of mines. I asked the photographer to NOT AIRBRUSH MY PHOTOS and she made me look like a painting instead of a real photo. I asked her to not resize them....I get a bunch of resized photos, initially she only gave me like 6 photos when the contract (that I had to bring to the shoot myself) clearly said I was to get all my photos. She was late for my shoot, her husband stank like stale cigarette smoke, he refused to come in the room because my make up artist is a drag queen...I would never have anyone else except a transexual, a gay man, or a drag queen beat my face anyways...and her stanky ass husband proceeded to be rude and sit in the hallway. To contact her after the shoot I had to send text messages...WTF? My list of complaints could go on for days...but don't waste your time and money with her.

I had to re-schedule another shoot with a very well established photographer.....and spend some more money....so annoying...

I tell ya, these days, anyone with a camera can claim to be a photographer--it's truly sad.

True photography is all about the lighting.  If you're paying money for a shoot, and the photographer doesn't have a light meter....run!  You might as well have your aunt take your pictures.

People may say it's all about the camera--not true.  Certainly, the newer digitals in the $500 range are excellent, but if the lighting is never considered, it'll look like a picture from a $20 camera.

Instead of asking about their camera or experience ask them about their understanding of light.

One must consider skin tone variations along the whole body as well as hot, warm, or cold lighting.  Too many just think in terms of shadows--oy, there's so much more.  My grandmother can shoot with shadows.

A good light meter, reflectors, a collection of lights, and maybe a +1 diffuser--all make for an excellent shoot.  Oh, and of course, the girl!!

Woah... wait one moment there.

Good images are definitely about the light and the way it is used. I agree with you on that... 100%

But!!!!

I have been shooting since I was 15. Of course back then NO one had digital cameras.. LOL

I am now in my mid 50's,,, and I havent taken my light meter out of it's case in probably 5 years at least.

I do this for a living here in Phoenix, AZ, and have not had one person complain about the images I created for them. I have shot Providers (both T and GG, Tv's, Drag Queens, and every day regular women as well as models and wanna be models.

I sometimes travel, and take my lights with me and even shoot outdoors sometimes with or with out lights...

I spent alot more than $500 on my Digital camera even with out buying any lenses.

But to bash "any" photographer that dosent use a light meter... shame on you.
Oh and I have reflectors, umbrellas, snoots, barn doors, grids, strobes, hot lights, etc... but you dont NEED a light meter to be a good photographer.

And I only minimally use photoshop to fix zits, blemishes, scars, etc.. I dont to the "Plastic Barbie Skin" to the women I shoot.

I also have published 1 photography book, and was the editor of a published book of Models and Women over 40.

No.. you dont need a light meter.

I agree with you both but I think a major component of a good shoot is having chemistry with the photographer....I was not aware that any photographer in their right mind would have an "ass"istant who is a homophobe...it just made me sick.

Obviously, there are both legitimate arguments and strong feelings on both sides of this discussion.  However, I think the overriding issues are these:

 - Allure has made a single customer complaint about a single local vendor in a flyover state.  That doesn't seem to warrant airing on a national board, where no warning is needed and no remedy is available.  I'm pissed that Time Warner Cable didn't broadcast the USA-Mexico game in English yesterday; should I complain here?

 -  Nobody except Allure really gives a shit.

Agree with all
As a former IATSE member
Great Photography is the Talent to bring together the Technical, the Artistic, and the Emotional to reveal the Essence of the Subject.

Not everyone with Equiptment has the Vison and Skill of an Artist

Considering this woman works all over the world...and she does mostly erotic photos...chances are very likely she will do another photo shoot with a provider.

I think you need to reconsider your stance. I am warning models from all over the world...to avoid her. Your rant is ignorant and nullified.

This is the perfect forum for that....obivously my point was well taken...because it seems to me the only....lone.......individual who is unable to connect these simple dots is you.

So in English....the only person who does not give a shit is you....perhaps you should have saved your rant for a PM directly to me...or posted under your real name....we are all adults here, and had my op been outside the scope of what is acceptable for this board...Sorry dear we already have moderators of which you are not.


So two snaps up three sideways and a few in circles love!!!

Allure..

I forgot to put this in my previous message...

I am truly sorry that you had such a bad experience with that photographer. I am aware that with the lower prices and availability of Digital cameras, more and more people are buying them, and many do not have the "eye" to create images that are not only good or even "artful".

I recently had a "model" come to me with some images that she paid for with a lot of hard earned money. And it wasnt a small amount.

She was a bit more upset that you were (reading just from your post), and asked me what it would cost to do a new shoot to give her the images she was wanting to have.

As she fit into what I was doing for my current photographic book.. I offered to do it for free. And from what she has said to me, and from the calls I have gotten from a few of her friends.. I think she was more than happy.

If you are ever here in the Phoenix, AZ area.. contact me and I will try to do right by you. Or any of you other beautiful ladies here on TER.

Andrew

Mexico won 2-1, by the way.